(UNDATED) - The number of residents who participate in curbside recycling varies widely from city to city in Indiana.

Clemson University economics Professor Daniel K. Benjamin says some form of recycling rubbish has always existed. But he maintains that myths about recycling have caused Americans to lose their perspective on waste disposal.

Benjamin says recycling becomes practical only when the material being recycled has high value, such as the steel that Nucor uses at its Crawfordsville plant.

He says most cities lose money collecting curbside recyclables because it costs more to pick it up than its worth.

Benjamin says curbside recycling can make you feel good, but he cautions to not think you're going to save the planet by doing it.